The Central Highlands Deer Ballot opened on Tuesday, with recreational hunters now able to nominate a time and location to access public land to hunt fallow deer. Hunters can apply for access to traditional blocks at Top Marshes Conservation Area, Great Western Tiers Conservation Area and Five Mile Pinnacles Conservation Area. New blocks have also opened up for licensed hunting at Breton Rivulet, Parsons and Clerk Mountain, Great Lake Conservation Area, Mother Lord Plains, and Arthurs Lake, Primary Industries Minister Guy Barnett said. “Providing strictly controlled access for recreational hunting to take place on reserves and public land is an important way to help manage the damage deer cause to natural areas,” Mr Barnett said. Applications for the deer ballot can be made at dpipwe.tas.gov.au/deerballot and close on Friday, February 8.